Shopify Consultant Roadmap & Skills Checklist

1. Master the Shopify Platform

• Sign up as a Shopify Partner (https://partners.shopify.com/)
• Understand the Shopify admin interface: products, collections, orders, customers, settings, analytics
• Create multiple test/dev stores and experiment with all core features

2. Store Setup & Management

• Product setup: variants, digital/downloadable, custom fields
• Payment, shipping, and tax setup
• App integration, troubleshooting, and recommendations
• Multi-channel sales: Facebook, Instagram, Google, Amazon, POS

3. Theme Development

• Solid front-end skills: HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript/jQuery
• Learn Shopify Liquid templating (https://shopify.dev/docs/themes/liquid)
• Explore Dawn (Shopify’s reference theme): https://github.com/Shopify/dawn
• Customize themes (headers, footers, sections, product pages, etc.)
• Optimize theme performance
• Responsive/mobile-first design

4. Advanced Customization

• Master Online Store 2.0 features: sections everywhere, metafields
• Use Shopify CLI for theme development
• Create/manage custom sections & blocks
• Use JSON templates for dynamic content

5. App Integration & API Work

• Integrate, configure, and recommend Shopify apps
• Learn to build custom/private apps (Node.js/React or Ruby)
• Use Shopify REST & GraphQL APIs for automation and custom features

6. Migration & Data Handling

• Import/export products, customers, orders (CSV)
• Store migration: WooCommerce, Magento, Wix, etc.
• Data cleanup, bulk editing

7. Shopify SEO & Performance

• Meta tags, sitemaps, schema, redirects, speed optimization
• Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, conversion tracking
• Image and theme performance best practices

8. Ongoing Support & Store Management

• Troubleshooting (theme/app issues, checkout problems)
• Routine updates (theme, apps, backups)
• Store audits and conversion rate optimization

9. Consulting & Strategy

• Business discovery: understanding client needs & goals
• Store UX/UI audits, recommend improvements
• Advising on marketing, retention, and upsell strategies
• E-commerce best practices (AOV, CLTV, funnel optimization)
• Training and documentation for clients

10. Soft Skills & Consulting Skills

• Clear communication (explain tech in plain language)
• Project management (deadlines, proposals, scope)
• Continuous learning (track Shopify changelog, join communities)

11. Certification & Reputation

• Shopify Partner Academy (free courses): https://www.shopify.com/partners/academy
• Build a real portfolio (showcase live Shopify stores)
• Get client reviews/testimonials

12. Community & Networking

• Contribute to Shopify Community: https://community.shopify.com/
• Follow experts, join groups, attend Shopify Unite and webinars

Skills Checklist

• Shopify Admin (products, orders, analytics)
• Theme dev (Liquid, HTML, CSS, JS, Dawn)
• Shopify CLI, Git
• App integration & troubleshooting
• Store migration & data
• Shopify APIs
• SEO & speed optimization
• Consulting, proposals, client management
• Ongoing support
• E-commerce best practices

Recommended Resources

• https://shopify.dev/
• https://shopify.dev/docs/themes
• https://shopify.github.io/liquid/
• https://shopify.dev/docs/apps
• https://www.shopify.com/partners/academy
• https://www.youtube.com/c/CodeCommerce
• https://www.shopify.com/learn/online
• https://community.shopify.com/

Sample Milestones

• Month 1: Launch dev stores, learn Liquid, basic store setup
• Month 2–3: Build/customize themes, use CLI, integrate apps
• Month 4–6: Store migration, build private app, SEO audit, Academy
• After 6 months: Launch client store, collect testimonials, build portfolio